3-time Olympic gold medalist Ryan Crouser has divulged the secret behind fellow Team USA star Sha’Carri Richardson’s global popularity - and it’s not just her blazing speed.
While competing in the Paris Games earlier this month, Richardson first took home silver in the women’s 100m , finishing behind Saint Lucia’s Julien Alfred at 10.87 seconds. As a member of the American quartet featuring Gabby Thomas, Melissa Jefferson and Twanisha Terry, the 24-year-old later earned gold in the 4x100m relay .
Richardson was integral in helping the U.S. cross the finish line in a season-best time of 41.78 seconds, delivering a remarkable come-from-behind anchor leg. With several meters left, she took a final glance over her left shoulder and stared down the competition from Great Britain and Germany - prompting widespread reaction on social media.
The viral gesture was just one of many that’ve propelled Richardson into international stardom over the last couple years. According to Crouser - who won his third-consecutive Olympic gold medal in shot put with a throw of 22.90m in Paris - these displays of authenticity are why fans gravitate to the sprinter.
“She's a very genuine person. What you see is what you get,” the American shot putter exclusively told Mirror Sport U.S. “She doesn't hide or pull any punches or anything. And so on her bad days, she has bad days, and you're going to know it.
“I think you have athletes that on the track have a persona or personality that they put on, but she's just genuine to who she is all of the time. And so it's refreshing to see that because the person that you're seeing out there competing is the person that she is all of the time.
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“You can't fake that level of enthusiasm,” he continued. “You can try to have it be an act, but when it is genuine, it's refreshing and organic. I think that's why people are drawn to her and she does get so much attention. [It] is because what she portrays is her true authentic self.”
Crouser first learned of Richardson when the LSU freshman burst onto the collegiate track and field scene in 2019, setting the NCAA 100m record in 10.75 seconds. The two have since developed a friendship, routinely running into one another at events around the world.
Asked who he’d want to sit next to on the flight to Paris for this year’s Olympics, Crouser promptly chose Richardson, affectionately describing her as a “firecracker.” Though the seating arrangement never came to fruition - Crouser flew to Europe earlier to compete in the London Diamond League - the pair snapped a photo together alongside Joe Kovacs while all donning their medals.
“She's just so full of energy. I described her as a firecracker because it's just like anything can set her off. And not even in a bad way,” said Crouser, who’s partnered with Thorne and is a long-time user of their products.
“It's just like you ask her how her day is going, and like, boom, she'll tell you, ‘It's good!’ And then she's just so full of energy and so excited and just has such a love for life. And so, yeah, the term firecracker is definitely [used] in a positive way, you can ask her anything and she's going to have a response and let you know.”
Although the duo have gone their separate ways since the Olympics - Crouser is actively competing in six European events over 20 days, while Richardson is taking a well-deserved break from the track - they still talk regularly. Most recently, Richardson checked in on Crouser while he’s in Rome for the Diamond League.
Fans won’t have to wait long to see Richardson back in action, as she’s set to once again race against Alfred in the 100m at the Zürich Diamond League on September 5.
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